F**k I hate losing to the Roosters so, so much!! I just hate it! That's probably why I feel kinda pissed off and dejected right now when really I shouldn't be too bad. I guess I'm just disappointed that we came so close but let it slip through our fingers, let a great opportunity in terms of the run into the finals slip through our fingers that's all. What makes it worse is that I reckon it was the little things that cost us tonight, errors, penalties and poor finishes to the sets are the main ones obviously. However, at the same time, I'm really proud of the way we went up against a fellow competition heavyweight with an almost unrecognisible backline and we came so close to getting the job done in a great game. What's more, to the boys credit, they just never went away right throughout the whole game which was pleasing.
In attack, as Trav has said, I also feel we looked a little timid and unsure. I'm not really sure, there just seemed to be a little bit of hesitation out there, the exucution was a buit off and things just didn't flow. This is no doubt due to the reshuffle we've had this week however and then the rshuffle we had during the game, it made it so difficult but like I said, I'm really proud of the way those guys stood up and did a job. Through the middle we were pretty good and were rolling quite nicely every set led by the twins. I was just pretty disappointed with the errors, especially in that first half.
Defence wasn't bad to be honest. We looked a little shaky on the edges at times but that was no doubt due to the lack of cohesion caused by the reshuffle and overall, defence was alright. It was really only the Manu try that I was pissed with, there was some piss poor defensive efforts there. Our defensive dicipline was also a bit of an issue and we gave away some really stupid penalties at crucial times.
Johnston: Not much to say, I just really hope it's nothing really bad and opting to sit him out was just a precaution I hope.
Kennar: I apologise if I'm being a bit harsh but I feel that he wasn't actually that good tonight. Did have a couple of good runs and a nice bomb take but other than that, I thought he didn't really look like he wanted to be there and he seemed to be kind of going through the motions a bit if I'm honest. We saw how much work he did early in the season but tonight he didn't do an awful lot in that regard, he looked quite underdone for me.
Burns: Was good. Great running of the ball in every carry he had and he actually looked pretty dangerous in attack, it's a shame we couldn't open him up a bit more. Had a solid night defensively and that pass of Hymel's try was amazing.
Gagai: Did a great job. Had to shift to fullback and he looked pretty comfortable there. Although he did get dragged back a couple of times, his kick returns were strong and he was always there trying to get involved in our attack. You could see he struggled with his positioning as he'd hardly played there but considering the circumstances, he did well.
Hunt: Wasn't bad. A good running game and I was satisfied with the amount that he got involved and came in for the tough work. Had a great finish in the corner for his try and defensively, he was okay apart from that really poor miss on Manu leading up to his try.
Walker: Wasn't bad either. He looked pretty dangerous at times with his little jinking style and he created a few half opportunities that we sadly couldn't pounce on. Short kicking game was great but we need more from him with the longer kicking, still Reyno should've done most of the kicking.
Reynolds: I'm acually not happy with his performance tongiht if I'm honest. A pretty poor short kicking game which may have yeilded a great result in the first half for Reyno with a nice try but every other short kick didn't get through the line cleanly which was really disappointing for a top class half. It really cost us in the game changing moment leading up to Manu's try. I also noticed he's gone back to not digging into the line enough on attack. Still, everything else he did wasn't bad.
T.Burgess: One of our best tonight for sure as he just flattened the Roosters. Almost every run he had was awesome and he was able to make massive meters all game (well over 100m) to roll through their pack. I just loved the intent he ran with and how he didn't give up and go to ground unil it is called. It's even more impressive when you look at the quick play-the-balls he was able to get for us. It was a great game from Tom.
Cook: Wasn't bad. A lot more quiet than last week but he still did pick some nice times to run to gain around 20 meters and keep their markers honest. His passing tonight was so crisp and bullet like too which was good. Then of course there was his defence which was outstanding again.
G.Burgess: Was pretty good. Awesome, strong, aggressive running and he just keeps those legs pumping all the time. Like Tom, I love the passion and desire he is now playing with and he plays his part in laying a great platform for others to work their magic. The only thing I'd fault George on is his dicipline in defence as he gave away a couple of crucial penalties at numerous times throughout the game.
Sutton: A pretty decent game from Sutto and he played his role nicely as I thought he was a lot more involved than he has been recently. Some very strong runs off beautiful lines created by Cody I love that line where he cuts back in slightly, looks so nice.
Crichton: Was really good tonight. A huge effort the whole game as his effort was always there and he took a lot of runs which were all quality. Gussy created a few half breaks running off Reyno too tat really bent the line and gave us a bit of momentum.
S.Burgess: Wasn't happy with Sam tonight at all. Errors at really crucial times, errors that really shouldn't be happening from a player like him. he made four errors and the most significant came at the end of the game when he blew any chance of a comeback with yet another dropped ball. It wasn't only that but a lot of the time, his runs lacked that normal Slammin' Sam intensity and it seemed to me that he was just going through the motiona a bit. It was one of his worst games in quite some time and it's quite unusual from players like him. I guess we can forgive him as he's a champion of the club and is normally way better than that.
Fuimaono: Did a good job tonight. Stepped into the reshuffle and looked decent. He did some great work in attack with those strong, aggressive runs he is loved for. Fui was a bundle of energy all night and kept Mitchell pretty quiet s o well done to him.
Murray: Again, he made a great impact. His presence was obviously felt in defence as he was crucnching their forwards left, right and centre in a series of textbook tackles. His running game was also very strong and he was able to make some pretty good meters in the end.
Clark: A solid performance and he came on and did his job. Clarky had a longer stint tonight and he played pretty good with a few good runs and he was kept very busy in defence.
Tatola: Not an awful lot to say really as he had shortened game time but the few runs he did have, I like what I saw.
So all in all, I'm pissed and disappointed with the loss for sure, espicially against the Roosters, but at the same time we went up against a fellow competition heavyweight with an almost unrecognisible backline and we came so close to getting the job done in a great game. With a few less player injured we smash them. If anything, I think this performance puts the comp on notice again because it shows that even with so many stars missing, we can go with the best and fight for a win. It excites me!
I've said it a few times that the team who wins the Premiership this year is gonna be the team with the least injuries and I'm starting to get quiet concerened with our injury toll that seems to be mounting. That really worries me as a lot are key players to our attack. Hopefully we begin to return to full strength soon.
Oh well, that'll keep the boys honest and will hopefully fire them up even more. We know we can beat anyone this year.
@Different kind of Rabbit, could you please make a 3,2,1 thread? Cheers.
